"Life outside buildings is every bit as important as what happens inside them. At Kings Cross, water, light and earth combine to create a public realm that is rich in natural green life. The well-being of those who live and work here can only be enhanced by such a close relationship with nature." DAVID PARTRIDGE ARGENT, DEVELOPMENT PARTNER, KING'S CROSS KING'S CROSS LANDSCAPE FOREWORD It is wonderful to see how King's Cross has been transformed in the last few years into a new part of London, a vibrant new city quarter for Londoners and visitors to experience and enjoy. Much of this change has come about due to the creation of new public spaces and opening up the area to the public after 150 years of industrial use. This document records the progress we have made since planning approva was given in December 2006, and sets out our proposals and aspirations for future phases of development. We strive to build our squares and gardens to the highest standards of design, but we never lose sight of the importance of creating spaces for people to use and enjoy. It has been rewarding to see how the completed gardens and squares have been appreciated throughout the The area is being transformed from an under-used industrial wasteland into a vibrant new part of the city with a whole 26 acres of parks, squares and open space. seasons and how the programme of public events has attracted a local and London-wide audience. The lessons we have learned so far are helping to shape our future proposals, so that we continue to offer our residents, tenants and visitors the best experience of King's Cross. pfpxix transformation The area is being transformed from an under-used industrial wastelanc nto a vibrant new part of the city with a whole 26 acres of parks squares and open space KING'S CROSS LANDSCAPE far left dust heaps Somers Town, 1836 left wharf road The entrance to the GNR's goods yarc and coal depot at King's Cross circa 190C opposite st pancras old church yard 1815 The River Fleet now runs undergrounc 1830 The Regent's Canal constructec 1904 Railwaylands made King's Cross an industrial heartlanc 2007 ntroduction of St Pancras International HISTORY A map from 1769 shows King's Cross as open fields adjacent to York Way. Dotted throughout the fields were small settlements such as Battle Bridge. The area was popular with Londoners escaping the city to health spas and country inns. With the completion of Regent's Canal in 1820, King's Cross was linked to major industrial cities in the north of England. The canal brought goods and industry to the area and the rural idyll gave way to gasworks, polluting industries and refuse sorting It was the coming of the railways in the mid 1800s however, that transformed the area into an important industrial heartland. Coal, grain, potatoes and other commodities were brought here by rail and canal and transferred on When road replaced rail freight after the Second World War, the area went into decline. It went from being a busy industrial and distribution centre to an under-used site and many buildings became derelict. In the latter part of the 1900s the area became known for its night life, and was something of a hub for artists and creative organisations. But problems of crime, unemployment and a poor quality environment undermined the area The arrival of the 21st century has seen some significant changes that kick-started the next chapter in the history of King's Cross. In 2001, construction work started on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and since then the area around King's Cross has seen an investment over £2.5 billion on the transport infrastructure. The area has also seen an incredible flow of investment into world-class buildings such as the British Library, the Francis Crick Institute and Kings Place. After years of uncertainty, the railwaylands at King's Cross were ready for regeneration It was the coming of the railways in the mid 1800s that transformed the area into an important industrial heartland The reinvention of buildings and public realm at King's Cross is the cornerstone of the development's future success n,s,e,w The Historic grids of King's Cross from North to South and East to West have been revived at the new King's Cross, as have many of the historic buildings KING'S CROSS LANDSCAPE O Gasholder No.8 0 Gasholder Triplet © Western Transit Shed O Midland Goods Shed O East Handyside Canopy O Regeneration House Q The Granary O Coal Drops Yard O Fish and Coal © German Gymnasium Q Great Northern Hotel MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK At King's Cross a rigorous urban framework has provided the base around which to build. This network of routes and spaces is as important as the buildings themselves, and a whole 40% of the 67 acre estate is given over to new streets, squares, parks and gardens. The starting point was to make the most of the architectural heritage and enhance the stretch of Regent's Canal flowing through King's Cross. The waterway played a vital role in shaping the area's history. Improving access and re-establishing its importance as a route and a focus for biodiversity was a key goal That secured, the historic grid was revived as the new primary urban framework with a central spine running north to south and the canal flowing east to west. The spine is the urban backbone and links the stations with the heritage heart of King's Cross and the land to the north. Flanked by rows of plane trees , . . , . , and wide, generous footways, the spine t is the framework of routes, streets, , . ,. ... ' ' contains the major public spaces. At its meeting places, squares and parks which heart, is Granary Square, where the built iS the lasting legacy Of development, environment meets the tranquil canal not the buildings themselves 0 L 250 _l corridor The trees, the lighting, even the smallest items of street furniture reflect carefully both the unity of the estate and its setting in a wider London context. Streets and footpaths lead through a myriad of parks, leafy squares and other open environments. The public spaces vary from the wild wonder of Camley Street Natural Park to the endlessly flexible heart of King's Cross at Granary Square, with its one thousand choreographed fountains. All this, though, is at a human scale so visitors, residents, tenants, commuters -everyone - can benefit and enjoy. SCALE (METRES) © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100053954 62 KING'S CROSS LANDSCAPE SHARED VISION The masterplan provides the framework within which individual parks, squares and gardens are created by different designers. This gives a sense of consistency and unity, while allowing the designers to express their own style and personality. We have sought to work with designers who are experts in the ong-established principles of garden design, but skilfully apply them to create landscapes that are both contemporary and timeless Each design practice has an international reputation for quality and innovation. Importantly they have all worked in London and have been at the forefront of the renaissance in greening the city Robert Townshend has shaped the landscape masterplan for King's Cross and his practice has been responsible for the design of many of the public spaces, most notably the award-winning Granary Square and Pancras Square, As guardian of the masterplan, he has worked alongside Dan Pearson in developing the strategy for the canal corridor and with Laurie Olin on the .... i i -,i i ■ i overall concept for Cubitt Square and We have worked with designers who are Cubjtt Park experts in the long-established principles Laurie Olin brings his experience of Of garden design tO Create landscapes designing major public squares in New , i , i , i , i I ■ i York, Washington DC and Portland, to that are both contemporary and timeless „. , ^ ^,-ttr. t ■ t King s Cross. Cubitt Square sits just north of Coal Drops Yard and will become the focus for major events The new civic square features Laurie's hallmark arching water jets and is a handsome space for people to relax, play and enjoy views of the activities within the square, Dan Pearson is one of the world's leading garden designers. His studio is working on three roof gardens and has recently completed the stunning new Handyside Gardens. Dan is also designing the planting along the cana corridor, creating a new greenway that will become an attraction for plant overs and families alike. WW An aspiration to deliver an active animated series of cohesive public spaces has been at the heart of the Public Realm Strategy since the inception of the master plan some 10 years ago. The intention is, and always has been, to design and deliver a framework of long lasting spaces, which respond to the unique context of the site, as well as being places that encourage and harbour human activity, social intercourse, cultural enrichment and visual delight. The manifestation of this to date can be seen in the vibrancy of Granary Square, fast becoming one of London's landmark spaces and more visited destinations. ^4s well as Providing- alenble urban framework of streets and squares which makes it very much part of the city, Kings Cross captures something of the principles of the work of'the father of modern gardening* William Kent, where the buildings and landscape are inextricably linked, creating a series of unfolding and ever changing views and vistas as the visitor moves through them. J J ROBERT TOWNSHEND TOWNSHEND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS * Horace Walpole 1780 An Essay on Modern Gardening granary square; quiet reflections Designed by Townshend Landscape Achitects and originally unveilled in 2012. Townshend Landscape Architects are also responsible for Pancras Square, a new square adjacent to St Pancras International As in early eras of property development of large estates such as that of the Bedford Estate with its squares, streets, terraces and civic structures, Kings Cross is being developed with a similar overarching vision. In keeping with one of the pronouncements of the great 18 th century amateur landscape designer |. William Shenstone, "Water should ever appear". The designers of the Kings Cross masterplan have developed a sequence of water elements that range in size and character extending from North to South through all of the principal spaces in counterpoint to the Regent's Canal which is celebrated as it bisects the site from East to West. An emphasis upon trees, gardens, green squares and parks that characterized English culture and cities from the late 17th century onward inspired emulation on the part of other countries. Such amenities characterize the most beloved portions of great cities and have been woefully absent from the bulk of property developed internationally since the end of World War II. Few recent developments in London or elsewhere have been as fortunate as that of Argent in their management of the Kings Cross estate planning, wherein they have been able to direct a creation of an extensive green public realm shaped by coherently planned architecture as in earlier eras... ( LAURIE OLIN OLIN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS O Battle Bridge Place 0 Pancras Square 0 Granary Square O Coal Drops Yard 0 Cubitt Square 0 Handyside Gardens O Cubitt Park 0 R and S zones © Triangle Site N 0 L SCALE (METRES) KING'S CROSS LANDSCAPE SQUARES, PARKS AND GARDENS The public squares and gardens at King's Cross come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone can find a space that is right for them. From quiet leafy corners with views of wildlife, to people watching in a bustling square. From a splash in the fountains with the kids to a kick about with friends in the park. The spaces are designed to grow and develop naturally over the years as users make them their own. Battle Bridge Place is the arrival point and gateway to King's Cross. The wide spread of yorkstone paving directly outside the stations is interrupted only by a stand of plane trees to give focus and setting for public seating. The simple style allows large numbers of people to cross the space with freedom and ease. The area between the German Gymnasium and One Pancras Square is a more intimate space. Here a giant oak surrounded by café seating will form an entry point to Pancras Square and a hint of things to come. Pancras Square is a striking new public space, inspired by the atmosphere of a continental town square. Tables will spill out from the cafes and restaurants that surround the square, giving the area energy and buzz throughout the day. The land drops through a series of stepped terraces with a striking water feature cascading from one level to the next. With lawned areas and seating beneath mature trees, Pancras Square is both a green route to the north and a place to pause and relax. From quiet leafy corners with views of wildlife, to people watching in a bustling square, from a splash in the fountains with the kids to a kick about in the park above coming and going Unveiled in 2012, Battle Bridge Place sits between King's Cross anc St Pancras International rail stations, t is the gateway to King's Cross © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100053954, Canalside Granary Square is at the heart of King's Cross. This magnificent new square is built where barges once unloaded their goods from the canal. The square's aquatic history has been worked into the new design, which is animated with over 1,000 choreographed fountains - each individually lit. With the industrial elegance of the Granary Building as a backdrop and wide steps sweeping down to the canal, it is without doubt one of London's new landmarks. tofkft battle bridge place Situated at the gateway to the King's Cross development anc Dancras Square, Battle Bridge Place is a place to pause, relax and enjoy top right city square Al fresco dining spills onto all sides of Pancras Square above city square Dancras Square, a place to take a break from the bustle of the shops, or relax after a hard day's work right granary square A grove of pleached lime trees provide the perfect place to relax with friends top across the buildings The heritage buildings arounc Granary Square became the canvas for Varini's vast artwork Across the Buildings' above left coal drops yard The cobbled streets anc Victorian arches will play host to the estate's retail heart aioverigil cubitt square markets Something different or familiar favourites left andnextpage granary square Andy Murray wins Wimbledon 2013 Once home to Victorian industry, the cobbled streets and brick arches of Coal Drops Yard will soon ring to a different kind of business. The historic structures are to become the hub of the estate's retail offer - with boutiques, galleries and cafes on two levels. Getting there couldn't be easier. The lower evel will link through to the canal towpath while the upper levels connect to the Viaduct in the south and Cubitt Square in the north, while pedestrian bridges link the upper levels to Stable Street. Similar in size to Granary Square, Cubitt Square will provide an impressive setting for the proposed Aga Khan Cultural Centre. A water feature is cut into the eastern side of the square, with seats nestled among flower beds under a row of plane trees. The central area has been left free to host events with flexible seating to allow people to form their own spaces within the square. 5 HUMMINGBIRD FUSCHIA Fuihia magellanica HIMALAYAN INDIGO /Av/.<;y,/'Y« belerar.lho BLUE-FLOWERED LEADWORT I'.tTillOtl'gmu t>hl:nOilg;l:0;iiC< STRAWBERRY GRAPE PURPLE SMOKE BUSH Catmus -'oggygria 'Royal i'm hl,: © COMMON BOX Buxussempe © COMMON HORNBEAM Carfinusbetulus